Blog

Sep 21, 2023

Fares

AC Transit offers many ways to pay for your ride so catching the bus is easier

AC Transit offers many ways to pay for your ride so catching the bus is easier than ever. Choose to pay with cash, or go contactless with Clipper or your mobile device. Learn about fares, how to get a Clipper card, paying with your mobile device, and more.

A one-way trip taken on a local bus line.

A one-way trip taken on a Transbay bus line (over a major Bay Area bridge).

Riders on local buses who need to transfer to a Transbay bus line pay this fare to upgrade their ticket or pass. Riders paying with AC Transit's mobile payment platform should purchase a Transbay single ride fare—valid for a free transfer from a local line to Transbay line for 2 hours.

A Day Pass is available as a prepaid or pay-as-you-go fare for unlimited local rides from the time issued until 3:00 am the next day. Riders paying with Clipper or AC Transit's mobile payment platform don't need to pre-pay for a Day Pass. Riders who purchase enough single ride fares in 12-hour period are upgraded to a Day Pass automatically.

Available via mobile fare payment as a prepaid or pay-as-you-go fare, a 7-day Pass is valid for unlimited local rides for 7 consecutive days. Riders don't need to pre-pay for a 7-day Pass. Riders who purchase enough single ride fares or Day Passes in a 7-day period are upgraded to a 7-day Pass automatically. (7-day Pass Pay-as-you-go fares are not available on Clipper.)

Available on Clipper as a prepaid fare, a local 31-day pass is valid for 31 consecutive days. Riders who purchase a Local 31-day pass can take unlimited local rides within the East Bay. Riders paying with AC Transit's mobile payment platform don't need to pre-pay for a 31-day Pass. Once their fare purchases reach the cost of the pass within a 30-day period, they will be upgraded to a 31-day Pass automatically. (31-day Pass Pay-as-you-go fares are not available on Clipper.)

Available on Clipper as a prepaid fare for riders paying Adult fares, a Transbay 31-day pass is valid for 31 consecutive days. Riders who purchase a Transbay 31-day pass can take unlimited Transbay rides to and from the East Bay, as well as travel on all AC Transit local lines. Riders eligible for discount fares should use their 31-day pass combined with a Local to Transbay Upgrade to ride Transbay lines. Riders paying with AC Transit's mobile payment platform don't need to pre-pay for a 31-day Transbay Pass. Once their fare purchases reach the cost of the pass within a 30-day period, they will be upgraded to a 31-day Pass automatically. (31-day Transbay Pass Pay-as-you-go fares are not available on Clipper.)

Available on Clipper as a prepaid fare, this pass can only be purchased by Senior/Disabled riders and is valid at the beginning of the month. Riders who purchase this pass can take unlimited local rides. Riders can board Transbay routes by paying the Local to Transbay Upgrade fare. Eligible riders paying with AC Transit's mobile payment platform don't need to pre-pay for a Monthly Pass. Starting at the beginning of the month, once their fare purchases reach the cost of the pass, they will be upgraded to a Monthly Pass automatically. (Monthly Pass Pay-as-you-go fares are not available on Clipper.)

Purchase and activate enough single ride fares by the day, week, or month, and get upgraded automatically! We’ll cap your fare once you’ve spent enough to reach a Day Pass, 7-day Pass, or 31-day Pass. Pay-as-you-go fares are only available on AC Transit's mobile payment platform, with the exception of the Day Pass, which is also available on Clipper Card or Clipper Mobile.

Riders have many choices when paying their fare on AC Transit. Fares can be paid on board with cash, but contactless payment is more efficient and reduces bus boarding times—getting riders to their destinations faster. Contactless fare payment options include Clipper, now available on your phone, and purchasing fare with mobile apps.

Clipper is the Bay Area's all-in-one transit card and the preferred way to pay AC Transit fares. With Clipper, riders can load cash or passes onto their card and enjoy discounts on single ride fares and Day passes, as well as get exclusive access to prepaid 31-day passes. Riders can now load a Clipper card onto their phone with Apple Pay or Google Pay, and manage their balance with the Clipper app. To pay, tag the Clipper reader with your card or phone upon boarding the bus. Learn how to get a Clipper Card.

AC Transit's mobile payment platform provides a convenient, contactless way to pay on the go. Buying fare with your mobile device is easy. Mobile payment is available in the AC Transit Official app and through a number of third-party app partners like Token Transit app, Transit app, Moovit, and on Google Maps. Once in their preferred app, riders can then choose the type of fare they’d like to buy, then activate the pass and ride! Riders who use AC Transit's mobile payment platform also have exclusive access to a range of Pay-as-you-go fares. Show the bus operator the pulsating mobile pass upon boarding or if asked for proof of payment. Learn more about contactless payment.

All AC Transit bus service accepts cash payments. Exact change is required, and bus operators don't carry change or provide refunds. Passes on Clipper can be purchased with cash at the AC Transit Customer Service Center. Tempo riders can use cash to purchase single ride fares and Day Passes at the ticket vending machine located at each station platform.

Riders can board AC Transit buses using any valid AC Transit ticket or pass, including these methods of payment:

Unlike other AC Transit bus lines, Tempo riders pay at the station before boarding. Tempo Line 1T riders can pay with any valid AC Transit ticket or pass. Riders using Clipper can tag the reader at the station. Riders can also purchase paper tickets at the ticket vending machine with cash, debit or credit, or Apple Pay and Google Pay. Mobile payments are also accepted on Tempo. The cost to ride Tempo is the same as AC Transit local fares. Riders must carry proof of payment while onboard. Failure to show proof-of-payment may result in a citation. Learn more about Tempo Fares and Payment.

AC Transit offers riders many ways to pay their fare, so catching the bus is easier than ever. To maintain a fair and equitable bus system, fare payment is required to ride AC Transit. Riders who fail to pay their fare may be denied boarding or receive a citation. Riders who need assistance paying their fare should check to see if they qualify for AC Transit discounts. Learn about Discount Fares and programs.

At AC Transit our purpose is to keep the East Bay moving. If your travel has been interrupted because your ticket or pass was malfunctioning, or your Clipper® Card has been damaged, misplaced or stolen, please visit our Refunds page to learn how to get your funds restored or refunded.

Questions about fares? We know you might still have questions about what fare is best for you. Visit our fare FAQ page to learn more. If you don't find the help you are looking for, Contact Us.